Our Badger Paddle Finishes
Hand-Rubbed Oil Finish
Our Badger Paddles are individually hand-rubbed for a smooth & quality finish. We offer both our special mixture passed down from Great Grampa Badger and our
NEW 100% ALL NATURAL BADGER PADDLE & GUNNEL OIL.
Our specially formulated Badger Wood Oil (our standard finish) is an oil based formula that includes some varnish properties in order to help better protect and seal the wood without loosing the features of an oiled paddle. This means more versatile maintenance options.
We recommend a fine oil product like Behr Tung Oil to maintain the oiled finish on a Badger Paddle to all our customers.
Our 100% All Natural Badger Paddle & Gunnel Oil is made from 100% Hemp Oil. It has no harsh fumes and is even food safe. That means you can use the oil on your paddles, canoe gunnels, wooden thwarts, etc., without worry the of harming the environment or the health & safety of your family or the lakes you paddle in. Click here for more information about our ALL NATURAL OIL for paddles, gunnels and more.
Besides being more traditional, oil offers protection for the wood by penetrating it - while reducing the slip factor that a varnish finish has when wet. Some people have even reported lessoned discomfort from blisters when using an oil finished paddle.
We also find that maintaining an oiled paddle is fairly simple and you don’t need special skills or equipment to preserve an oiled finish. Easier to maintain then a varnish finish, oil can even be applied right at your campsite.

Our varnish finish is like no other you have felt or seen.
We offer a hand-rubbed varnished blade as our unique specialty.
After being given 4 - 5 coats of marine quality varnish, we give the hardened finish a special buffing treatment by hand.
A hand-rubbed varnish finish still has all the protective qualities of regular varnish but with a beautiful silky smooth finish. It is a tactile experience!
For more information on our hand-rubbed varnish finish, please visit Badger’s Blog: Maintenance Tips.
Because we believe in oil’s superior comfort qualities, we only varnish the blades of our paddles and oil the shaft of the paddle (starting at the neck) and the grip. However, we will do a entire hand-rubbed varnished paddle as a special order. We offer both our standard oil finish and our 100% All Natural Badger & Gunnel Oil* to our customers.
Please contact Mike for more details.
Another unique finish to Badger Paddles - Water Colours! Our vibrant colour tints are water-based, non-toxic and fun!
Blue, Green, Pink, Purple, Turquoise and other variations available. No two alike!
Made for Kids ‘N Cubs and now for adults too, Badger Water Colours are the newest trend for paddlers.
After being tinted by hand, our Badger Water Colours are then given 3 coats of marine quality varnish to ensure years of protection and use.
Please note the depth of colour within a piece or between paddles will vary due the natural variations in wood.
Available in cub or adult sizes, Water Colours are made from Poplar, Tulip, Ash or Basswood.
For more information on Badger Water Colours please visit Badger’s Blog, email us or contact a Badger Retailer near you.
Hand-Rubbed Varnish Finish
Badger Water Colours



*Note: our eco-finish does require two coats minimum of our Badger Wood (Hemp) Oil mixed with varnish/spirits to provide the best protect for your paddle and to help speed up drying time for production purposes.